July 6, 2014

Hibi Chouchou [Chapter 56]


It is raining. Suiren lies awake on her bed and recalls that day’s events. Flashback: A guy asked if Takane[no hana]-chan is crying. Aya shouted that she isn’t. As Meguna went to them, Yuri ushered Suiren to the side. Everyone is gossiping about it. Someone [<- Yuri or Meguna] asked what happened. Flustered Suiren wondered from where she should start. Aya said that it is alright if she won’t say it. This made Suiren hug her. Back at school, things go as usual. End flashback. Suiren’s alarm clock is ringing. She stops the alarm and thinks that it is now Wednesday and after that day, nothing has been said.. even if she doesn’t regret it = telling him to kiss her and wanting to talk more with him. She wonders what Kawasumi is thinking. It is still raining when she goes to school. As the others are greeting each other good morning, Suiren opens the door to the classroom and comes face-to-face with Kawasumi, who was followed by Kawata. Suiren turned away which seemed to have surprised Kawasumi. And, they had gone their own away. Suiren wonders if he will come today. After school dismissal, she walks with her friends to the café. Suiren is puzzled when Yuri tells her not to mind too much those rumors. Aya calls Yuri’s attention that Yuri apologizes. Suiren asks what it is. Yuri tells her that someone saw her crying so the rumors say that they have broken up. “But that is a rumor, right! It is obviously not like that!” Aya tells Suiren that she doesn’t want to see her in such pain and ..what the heck is [romantic] love. Yuri says but she thinks that there are no lovers that do not quarrel. Looking up the rain, Suiren wonders if this is a quarrel and love is very complicated.. “Even if I want to meet, want to talk, but I feel a bit afraid over Kawasumi-kun coming over.” The doorbell rings. Catching his breath, Kawasumi arrives. Suiren is tense for he came. Her friends prepare to take their leave. She nods to them when they wave her goodbye.
Kawasumi sits down and Suiren wonders from where should they talk about what? As they remain silent, the doorbell rings again. It is wet Atohira saying that it is a heavy rain. And, upon seeing the couple, he casually sits beside Kawasumi and orders an ice coffee. While Kawasumi is having a (–A-) look at him, Atohira tells him not to be too pleased with himself [/complacent] just because he won. While quietly drinking his coffee, Atohira looks at his side and then to Suiren. He asks, “Kissed already?” This made the two somewhat glum. Suiren recalls asking Kawasumi to kiss her. She looks flustered and thinks, ‘gambatte’[/good luck] and she had mentioned it. Upon seeing Suiren’s expression, Atohira looks at quiet Kawasumi and asks him what it is. He looks at quiet Kawasumi. Looking at Suiren, Atohira says “If you want to say something, then it would be better to say it out.” Kawasumi said that he heard it. “but I.. have no way of doing karate and love simultaneously. And I gave her.. lonely memories.” Atohira says that the responsibility is not only on one person, right. “Even if Kawasumi is clumsy, the other party, who didn’t make it clear, also has a responsibility to it. If guys don’t say it clearly, girls won’t be able to understand. *sighs* Girls are really troublesome. *Kawasumi looks aghast at him* But, to think of wanting to continue on going steady, it is only [possible] if there is mutual like [for each other].” Atohira’s cellphone is vibrating. He stands up and says that he’s leaving. After he left, Kawasumi calls out to Suiren and says that he’ll talk first. He explains that talking in the class will give her trouble but he understands the feeling of wanting to talk. Narration: “..even if it is like that..” After a pause, Kawasumi asks, “--.. are you be happy going steady with me?” Flustered Kawasumi looks away.
Narration: “..althought..very..happy..love is like this. *Kawasumi stands up and apologizes, saying that he’ll walk her home* existing within the body. Obviously it isn’t a bad thing, but it cannot be ignored and just let it be. *open their umbrellas* There are times I’m thinking, will I become happy. *walks in the rain with their umbrellas* Want to be happier compared to the present. Obviously want to surpass this hurdle but the method [how], I do not know. *flustered and stops walking as Kawasumi continues to walk ahead* Quarrel..? Even if it feels like that, would it still be okay.” Suiren drops the umbrella. She runs to Kawasumi and hugs him from behind. Narration: “In my whole life, I think that this love will be the only first love. More and more..” Suiren mutters, “stay..stay at..my side.” Kawasumi looks somewhat flustered. After turning towards her, he drops his umbrella and hugs her tightly. He says, “It is alright. I will always be here.” This made Suiren teary-eyed. Narration: “Want it to be longer. Always keep on going steady. At that time, I somewhat realize.. The current us, even if want to consider, and also seems childish, if both of us are more mature--..” Suiren mutters that a little bit, mutually..slowly..consider it [/think it over]..” Narration: “then, this kind of problem won’t arise.” Kawasumi says ya. And it is a clear day. Suiren is walking the hallway together with Meguna. Narration: “At one side, *Kawasumi carrying Suiren* thinking of that time’s scene. *Christmas together* At the other side, going through *spending the hatsumode together* the scattered and wandering frames in the mind *other memories together* Everything are like photographs, sparkling and shining. Since the encounter, the second summer starts.”
Comment: I guess what Suiren meant there is for them to work things out slowly since after all, they still love each other. It isn’t really resolved yet and it seems to be a work in progress. In a way, Atohira is right that there has to be communication for the other to know what the other thinks/feels, and still mutually liking each other is a factor to still want to go steady. In a way, yes, it is troublesome since in a relationship, one can no longer think only for oneself and do what one wants without thinking of the other. For now, Kawasumi isn’t willing to cut back any karate time but then, he is starting to have doubts that Suiren is still happy with him being like this. Of course, the latter is somewhat resolved in that moving rain scene hug..and honestly, I almost thought he is going to kiss her. ^^;; Ya, she's taking the initiative again. Suiren still wants to be with him and he assured her that he is there for her. Suiren seems to hope to be more understanding over this, which is probably what that maturity she mentioned, is all about, but still, there is that lonely feeling that cannot be avoided since she doesn’t have a lot of time with him. About the not talking in class, I guess Kawasumi really doesn’t want to do anything that will cause a commotion and make Suiren uneasy. Checking a few chapters, it seems that Suiren doesn’t like it being the center of attraction especially with guys so if Kawasumi talks or anything with her, the focus would immediately be on Suiren. Even after the Ferris Wheel ride, everyone is making a fuss that her friends have to take her to the side. Whether Suiren is now okay about not talking in class because of what Kasumi said, isn’t quite conclusive. Maybe the maturity is also for Kawasumi not to make a fuss about the fanboys? And, in the end, it does seem that Suiren recalls all their times together and still find them glittering so I guess, she is hopeful about their relationship and not let these ‘obstacles’ hinder them because in time, they’ll resolve them. In a way, it is nice that the mangaka isn’t dragging things but I somewhat felt that the scenes are skipping a bit and not thoroughly shown/explained so the readers would just have to fill in the blanks. ^^; Anyway, it is summer time and maybe the kiss will happen there. Hopefully, they’ll resolve a bit their issues, too. Scans by allwink

Word of the day:
The sooner you realize that almost everything is going to take a little longer and be a little tougher than you think, the sooner you can overcome frustration or discouragement. ‘A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9’ ~ 101 mottos for success by J. Richards and M.S. Fontaine.

29 comments:

  1. I thought they will kiss. Thank you for the summaries!!!

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    1. Ya, I thought so, too. Thanks for reading, Alexis ^-^

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  2. When I encountered the 'raining scene' I thought it was the perfect moment to kiss but to my disappointment.....it didn't happened! *flips table* XD I'm guessing the mangaka would put the scene in the least way we expect it to happen or maybe they should resolve a bit of their issues first before their first kiss.

    I'm glad Suiren is being more active in her relationship with Kawasumi since it shows that she really loves him but I wish Kawasumi would also be more a bit active in regards with Suiren. It's just my opinion but the way I'm seeing it, I think Kawasumi like karate a bit more than Suiren so I feel a little bit sorry for her and I couldn't blame her for being lonely. I know he's passion is karate but I just want to see him do a bit more effort in their relationship.

    Thank you for the summary! :)

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    1. I understand what you mean, but i don`t think he likes karate more than her. It's just that karate was already in his life before , and it's obvious that is a important thing to him.
      I think it's unfair make him slow down in karate just to pass more time with Suiren. She started to like him the way he is, and she has to respect the side of him that values karate.
      If you really like someone, you have to understand that person's goals and dreams, and help to achieve them.
      Thanks for the summary Kat!

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    2. I think your misinterpreting me, I know he had karate way before he started to have a relationship with her that's why I said 'I know he's passion is karate', I didn't say anything of him slowing down karate for the sake of Suiren but it wouldn't hurt if he put a bit more effort in his relationship with her. When your in a relationship, it should be both ways or should I say it's a two-way street because there should be two people involved. It's not the only one person whose trying to make the relationship work but also the other one as well.

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    3. I know when you're in a relationship it's a two way street, but even so each one has their own expectation in a relationship.
      I say this because i understand Kawasumi, once i was in the same position as him. I have a intense routine, the other person did have had known me this way, but later started complaining that i wasn't spending time enough with him, when i did put all effort to spend my free time with him. What is sad because i have friends in the same position, but their partners are able to understand this kind of routine.

      In my view, once that Suiren didn't voiced her thoughts and the things she wanted ,Kawasumi did what he could and thought was right. And they ended up in the same old problem in relationships: communication.

      All of this is leading me to agree with Atohira, that a girl like Koharu would be more compatible with Kawasumi.

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    4. I didn't think Kawasumi did what he could for Suiren because he did end up neglecting her otherwise he wouldn't even think to himself "I gave her lonely memories" and Suiren ended up being lonely. It's not like Suiren is demanding all of his free time with her, she knows how Kawasumi can be so passionate with karate so she supports him and treasures the moments whenever she has the opportunity to spend time with him like their meet-ups during every Wednesday. She just wants them to talk more even if they couldn't spend time together. I do agree with you about Suiren because at first she didn't voiced out her thoughts but now she's voicing them out to him. I admire for her that because she's doing something in their relationship while I'm still waiting for Kawasumi to do a little bit of effort in regards with her.

      I disagree that Koharu is more compatible with Kawasumi. Suiren is doing her best for Kawasumi in their relationship and I think that it's not only Suiren's fault for not speaking up a lot more but also Kawasumi as well whose still stumbling over his relationship with her. It's too early to decide whose more compatible with Kawasumi because their relationship is just starting and there will be always conflict between two parties but they need this for their relationship to grow and be more mature as a person.

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    5. But the point is,just now he thinks "I gave her lonely memories" because only now she said what she wanted . He can't read her mind, plus the fact that he is clueless about relationships, so he did what he thought was enough at the time.

      That's why Atohira had said that the things will not work out between them because he saw Suiren holding up her thoughts and he knew that Kawasumi wouldn't be able to grasp the mood and do what he thought was right.
      Atohira knows kawasumi, that's why he had said that a girl like Koharu would be better, because she would talk about what she was thinking and make Kawasumi understand what was necessary to make her happy. He was just saying that a girl that could express herself would be better, and i was referring to this too, not to Koharu exactly.

      Now Suiren said what she wanted, then i'm expecting to see how Kawasumi will act and how their relationship will develop from now on.

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    6. Suiren is also clueless about relationships so you also have to give her credit that she's also doing what's she think is best. Kawasumi isn't a mind reader but you can't expect Suiren to change and voice out her thoughts immediately but you could tell she is slowly changing herself. It isn't easy to change yourself in an instant but it's admirable for a person who used to be so timid and quiet to say her feelings in front of someone she loves. Both of them are at fault here since they're still new in regards on having a relationship with someone. But I think conflicts like this are good for their relationship because not only they would learn from their mistakes but also they would understand each other better.

      Even if Atohira knows Kawasumi it doesn't mean he knows what's best for his friend even like a girl like Koharu or anyone like her. In the end, Kawasumi is the one who will decide all of these things because he knows himself better than anyone.

      I am interested too on how their relationship will develop from here on. You know I'm kinda curious on what will happen between Atohira and Koharu since it seems something is gonna happen unless the mangaka is just teasing us ^^;

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    7. Thanks for reading, Anonymous [1] and [2] ^-^

      Yup, I also thought that they are going to kiss..maybe the mangaka is going for a summer kiss?

      I think both of you brought up good points ^^ In a way, both have their faults and such with communication as the main big problem and it doesn't help that both are quiet types and not quite good in social interaction. Nevertheless, I think the mangaka is showing that it isn't all happy lovey-dovey in relationships. Like what her two friends mentioned: either you'll wonder if it is worth it and what's this about love which is pretty much hinting on giving up or, every couple have quarrels which is a realistic view.

      Since both still love each other and seems willing to fix their issues..slowly but surely? We'll see ^^

      As for compatibility, it is hard to use it as a basis for romantic relationships since most of the time, there has to be love or else, compatibility doesn't amount to much.

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  3. I also thought they will kiss, but they still love each other. Thanks for the summary!!

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    1. Ya, I thought so, too..and true, they still love each other.

      Thanks for reading, Judy ^-^

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  4. well well~
    i feel a bit regret but their hug scene is not too bad ;)
    thanks for the summary

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    1. Agreed...hug scene was not too bad...like getting a diet coke when I ordered a coke..haha...hope we get the real thing before a break up happens!

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    2. Yup, Vanilladada ^^ It is quite moving for me.

      Thanks for reading ^-^

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  5. Why is Suiren who always the one making the first move? Kawasumi idiot! When will you ever man up? When he said "have no way of doing karate and love simultaneously. And I gave her.. lonely memories.." I thought he was gonna break up or something like that because it's like saying he can't give what Suiren wants as of the moment. It's almost like a one-sided love. I wonder what Kawasumi is really thinking. And Kawasumi should have kissed her under the rain! Gosh.. Kawasumi frustrates me.

    Thanks again for this summary, Kat.

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    1. Well, Edj, I guess Suiren I guess it is because she is the one feeling uneasy and everything that she has to make a move. Kawasumi does seem to be kind of laid back though it would be nice if we knew what he is thinking. This way, we can only speculate.

      Ya..I thought he was going to kiss her..oh well.

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  6. At this point, it is clear to me that both of them should be going out with someone else, someone who they're more compatible with.
    If their relationship continues, they will have this kind of problem again, even worse maybe.
    It is clear that they want different things from the relationship and forcing it isn't going to work.
    If the mangaka forces their relationship to work and they both somewhat easily accepts it, then it will feel forced and out of character for our main couple. This is what's starting to happen already, and the reason why (most) people are unsatisfied with the plot's direction.

    I wrote a long and detailed comment before, but it disappeared; I wasn't going to type it again. This is a shorter version of it, I guess.
    But, it's just my opinion, people.

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    1. Is that so, JJ.

      Hm..maybe but in shoujo, it is very unlikely to happen especially in this 'fixed couple' series. I'm not sure they'll even entertain the thought of going steady with people they don't love and would do so just because they are compatible with. Of course, it would be nice if it is both..and we'll have no story/conflict..just lovey-dovey. =P

      True, I do get that feeling as if they are just forcing it to work but I guess maybe some more chapters to see if that is confirmed or because the mangaka is somewhat stepping things up a bit for the issue not to drag so much that it seemed force. If you have read Kimi ni Todoke, that series, focused a lot of chapters on the 'lack of communication' and 'assuming things' between the main couple who are somewhat the same with the ones here...and also just before the first kiss. That was really frustrating and dragging. So I find this one a bit better and it helps that it comes out twice a month ^-^

      Oh..sorry to hear that.



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  7. Had me worried there for a second... Well, they should just go at their own pace... But like everyone, i hope they will share a kiss soon :p

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  8. Thank you so much for the summary. I'm glad that they are having some bumps in the road. Things seemed too easy and I want them to develop their relationship and personalities more because, I honestly don't understand why are they dating LOL

    I mean. Why does Suiren likes Kawasumi and viceversa?

    I used to love this manga so much... Not that I don't love it anymore but right now I feel kinda empty whenever I read it. The author always wastes pages with backgrounds and writes a few things and that's it. Then we have to wait for the next chapter and she does the same with 4 or 5 pages LOL

    Also, I really liked Suiren at the beggining... At first I percieved her as this shy but beautiful girl that had a very direct personality (I'm saying this because of how she treated Koharu hehehe) But sadly right now I feel her as an empty character. She's dropdead gorgeous and bad at math... She's a good girl but extremely QUIET girl with HUGE sad eyes... and I'm like... is that it? perhaps I'm the one that is failing in seeing more of her personality but sadly, I feel her sooo empty. Aya and Yuri have more personality than her. That at one point I asked myself... Why Kawasumi likes her? I'm asking this in case someone is kind enough to answer hehehe perhaps I missed a chapter or some important detials ;__;

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    1. I'm not really sure why they are attracted to each other either, but I think it has to do with admiring one another's strength? He is physically strong, while she has proven to be more brave then she looks. She stood up for Kawasumi when he was annoyed of Koharu, then she took initiative to make progress with him in a relationship without being overly suffocating like Koharu did. She is sweet and soft spoken, which can be a really likable trait if a guy thinks girls are normally loud and annoying. He protected her with karate haha...and is soooo adorable. That's why I'd like him if I were her. But, they are painstakingly quiet together and progress is like watching a snail's marathon..so slow. She impresses me with her deep thoughts, but then only speaks in broken short sentences. So she confuses me a bit too. I liked her a lot more in the beginning. Still, I'd be crushed if they broke up because they are still so cute together while trying to fumble through these tough situations and experience "firsts" together, which is endearing. It'd be weird to see him with Koharu now as she'd probably force more than a kiss on him...eek...poor guy would die of a heart attack. lol

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    2. Thanks for reading ^-^

      Well, isn't it because of love? That cannot be explained factor that has nothing to do with compatibility or just because someone is nice to you..there is that spark thing?

      Hm..more personality as in more vocal and expressive?

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    3. Oh i see your point my dear fellow Anonymous. Thanks a lot :D I had forgotten about those important details. I don't want them to break up either!! I can't picture them with other people... not with Aotohira nor Koharu >_<

      And yes miss Kat... it would be great if Suiren were more vocal and expressive but I have the feelign that won't be happening anytime soon. I just feel that whenever she talks she does it like this:

      Suire: Ka....wa...su....mi...... I.....would........like....for....you...............to...........talk........to......you.......mo....re


      >_< and it can be a bit frustrating but I love her and I guess I can only wait and have faith in the author :P

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    4. True..well, like the pacing of the series, it is slooowww.

      Indeed, I think the mangaka ought to want to make this a success since it seems to be quite well-received in Japan.

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  9. Thanks for the summary! But wow this manga sure is slllooww in terms of development with the main couple lol. I'm actually more interested in what Ryouske is doing with his gf then anything else at the moment :>

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    1. Agreed! I was even more interested in Koharu's interest in Atohira there for a short time. Wondering if she'd go all crazy in love with him too and how the girl-hating Atohira would handle it. lol

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    2. Thanks for reading ^-^

      Well, it has always been slow. After I got over that, I no longer have much expectation on 'immediate progress'. Hehe, I always have that mindset with very slow-paced series. =P

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